Keen marathon runner, or just enjoy fun-running for a good cause?

If yes to either of these then the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, now celebrating its 11th anniversary, around the fascinating, impressive, Angkor temples is a must!

We at Viet Value Travel have put together an exciting 6 day package which will allow you to fully appreciate the wonderful temples, take a cruise on South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake, and visit the charming capital city of Phnom Penh – as well as running the Marathon of course!

We fully understand that before and after such a run a certain amount of pampering is required. This is why we have chosen to accommodate you in the quiet, comfortable, beautifully decorated, air conditioned Hanumanalaya Boutique Guesthouse, which features its own sauna and pool. Yet, for even further pampering we have secured you a unique deal with the 5 star Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel – throughout your entire stay in Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) you will be able to make complimentary use of their large lagoon swimming pool, and its international standard gymnasium (including jacuzzi and sauna), as well as taking advantage of the 30% discount at its Angkor Spa (wonderful massages available!). And on run day itself we will have our very own Hanuman Tourism Voyages Recovery Tent, where you will be able to relax and enjoy the post-race ceremonies.

Don’t forget that the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon is both a serious and a fun event, so the whole family can take part. There are various categories: the Half Marathon (21km) for men and women 16+; the 10km Fun Run for men and women 16+; the 5km Fun Run for women only (any age); and the 4km Family Fun Run. As for the good cause, part of your Marathon entrance fee goes towards helping Cambodian land-mine victims. For more information take a look at the Official Angkor Wat Half Marathon website.

We believe we are offering the best deal for those of you who wish to run the Marathon, be pampered, and experience a small slice of wonderful Cambodia. 

Services included: 

• All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in our itinerary
• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast at Hanumanalaya Boutique and Imperial Garden Hotel
• English speaking local guide
• All entrance fees,
• Meals: Daily breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner at local restaurants as mentioned in the program
• Private air conditioned car
• Drinking water during sightseeing
• Public liability insurance 
• Domestic flight ticket from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Service not included

• Services not mentioned in our itinerary
• Visa fees, currently USD 20-- per person
• Domestic airport tax, currently USD 6 per person
• International airport tax, currently USD 25-- per person
• International flight tickets to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh
• Marathon registration fees
• Expenditure of a personal nature.
• Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident of illness)

Day 1 (November): Arrive Siem Reap
When you arrive at Siem Reap International Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to the HanumanAlaya Boutique Guesthouse (approx. 20 min drive). After you have settled in we will have a welcome dinner at the HanumanAlaya.

Day 2 ( November): Siem Reap - Relaxing tour of Angkor Wat  
After breakfast we will get our first experience of the impressive Angkor Wat temple, where we will get up close and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas reliefs. This temple is the largest religious building ever constructed and is truly one of the wonders of the world. It is widely believed to have been built as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples, and its serene setting is perfect for pre-run contemplation! Around midday we return to the HanumanAlaya and then leave you to your own devices for the rest of the day, allowing you to choose how to relax (maybe a pre-race massage at the Sofitel), as well as what to eat, in preparation for the following day's run.

Day 3 (November): Siem Reap - The Marathon!
The Marathon begins at 6:30am, so a light breakfast will be available from 4:30am (if you require an earlier breakfast, or would like us to prepare any special pre-run food you may have brought with you, please let us know and we will do our best to help). At 5:30am we will transfer you to the Marathon administration area where you can register and prepare for the run. The half marathon (21km) starts at 6:30am, the 10km Fun Run at 6:40am, the 5km Fun Run at 6:50am, and the Family Fun Run (4km) at 7:00am. Once you have finished your run we will have our own Hanuman Tourism Recovery tent where you will be congratulated and offered refreshments, water and fruit. Once the various ceremonies have ended (and you have collected your winners medal!!), we will return to the HanumanAlaya. The afternoon is free for you to relax and recover - the perfect opportunity to try out our sauna and pool, or make use of the complimentary access we have secured in a unique partnership with the five-star Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel. You can enjoy complimentary access to its superb lagoon swimming pool, complete with swim-up bar, have a cool down session in its international standard gymnasium (including jacuzzi and sauna), and take advantage of the 30% discount  at the Angkor Spa for a well earned post-run massage. You can also enjoy a 10% discount on dining in any of the Hotel’s fine restaurants to help replenish your fuel tanks!. The Sofitel Royal Angkor is less than a five-minute walk from the HanumanAlaya  or if your legs are a little sore we can give you a lift in our complimentary tuk tuk. Back at the HanumanAlaya from 6:30pm to 7:30pm there will be a post-marathon cocktail party at the garden bar followed by a special dinner.

Day 4 (November): Siem Reap - Temples & Cruise
Hopefully today your legs will not be too stiff as after breakfast we go temple exploring. First we visit Angkor Thom. This Royal city was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th century. However, it was destroyed when the Chams from Vietnam rose up against the Khmers and invaded, sacking the city, fortunately it was subsequently renovated by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. Its vast walls, some 6m wide and 8m high, is 13km in length and contains many beautiful monuments. We will approach this ancient city via the South Gate, which is flanked by demons and gods engaged in a tug-of-war over the elixir of immortality. Once through the gate we will visit the Bayon, a temple mountain built by Jayavarman VII. It is situated in the centre of the city of Angkor Thom. It is a three-tiered pyramid and is famed for its many gigantic carved faces, representing Avalokiteshvara but with the features of Jayavarman VII, smiling beguilingly down at you. We will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimean Akas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. We will return to Siem Reap and take lunch at a local restaurant. After which we head south in the afternoon to Phnom Krom and a relaxing cruise on the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. Here we will see traditional floating villages and witness the residents going about their daily life, and for the wildlife enthusiasts there is also the opportunity to spot many birds which feed on and around this huge lake. As we return to Siem Reap we will call in at Les Artisans d’Angkor, a workshop created to help young people find work in their home villages, allowing them to practice their traditional crafts and providing them with a vocation and a role in society - a great place to buy traditional, quality souvenirs, whether silk scarves, a wood or stone carving, or maybe some lacquerware. We will have dinner at a local restaurant in Siem Reap.

Day 5 (November): Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
After breakfast we will transfer you to the airport for the 50 minute flight to Phnom Penh (flight FT 991, 8:10am). Upon arrival in Phnom Penh you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel, the Imperial Garden Villa & Hotel, located very close to Phnom Penh's main attractions. In the afternoon we will take in some of Phnom Penh's sights, starting with a visit to the beautiful Royal Palace located on the shores of the Mekong river. Inside its walls are the Throne Hall, the Chan Chaya Pavilion, used for performances of classical dance, the Napoleon III Pavilion, and the King and Queen's residential quarters. Next stop will be the Silver Pagoda, so named as its floor is made up 5,000 silver tiles! The Silver Pagoda is also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha as it houses a glittering array of Buddhist statues, the centre piece being a magnificent 17th century emerald Buddha statue made of baccarat crystal. Next on the schedule is a visit to the 1917, terracotta red, National Museum - home to the world’s leading collection of Khmer sculpture. The museum offers a charming setting for the comprehensive collection of Khmer art. Predominantly worked in stone, the sculptures date from both the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian eras, complimented by more recent examples of Cambodian art. Dinner will be at the Mekong River Restaurant, offering views across the river.

Day 6 (November): Depart Phnom Penh
After breakfast you are free until the afternoon when we will transfer you to Phnom Penh International Airport for your onward flight. You may wish to take this opportunity to learn about Cambodia's more recent turbulent history by taking a visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, the infamous Khmer Rough prison / torture centre (also known as S21), and / or the 'Killing Fields' located about 15km from the city centre. Or on a lighter note, you may wish to buy some last minute souvenirs at the fascinating Russian Market.